Sansevieria &#39;HANSOTI22&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Sansevieria  plant named ‘HANSOTI22’ is disclosed, characterized by dark green foliage with a yellow margin and distinctive yellow-green central streaking. Foliage is arranged in attractive spiral rosettes with lowermost foliage occurring at obtuse angles from the center of the plant. The new cultivar is a compact “birds nest” type  Sansevieria  forming small plants, reaching about 12 to 15 cm in height at maturity. Plants require little water, having a moderate tolerance for drought, and are also tolerant of very wet conditions. The new variety is a  Sansevieria , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Sansevieria trifasciata.

Variety denomination: ‘HANSOTI22’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata, of the family Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HANSOTI22’.

Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous plant with fleshy, succulent leaves which are available in a huge range of species, varieties and cultivars as an outdoor ornamental plant (under tropical conditions) or as indoor plants.

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Ashish Hansoti, as a single, naturally occurring whole plant mutation within a planting of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’, a non-patented Hahnii or ‘Birds Nest’ type of Sansevieria. The discovery was made at the inventor's nursery, in Village Vangani, District Thane, Maharashtra State in Western India. The inventor noted the unique plant for its particularly compact growth and wide leaves compared to the normal, common green Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’ types. ‘HANSOTI22’ originated as a naturally-occurring mutation of the Sansevieria variety ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’ (unpatented) selected in May 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in August of 2011 at a commercial nursery in Village Vangani, District Thane, Maharashtra State in Western India. This first and subsequent propagation have shown that the distinctive combination of characteristics of the new cultivar are reproduced true to type as long as the propagation was done through side shoots (basal suckers) originating from the base of the originally discovered plant. Thus, it can be said that the new cultivar reproduces true to type through side shoots (basal suckers).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘HANSOTI22’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Vivid and distinct central broad band of longitudinal lighter creamy yellow streaks along leaf lamina between the creamy yellow borders on both side of the leaf 2. Highly compact plant forming on average 10 leaves and reaching a height around 15 cm at three months of age.

Leaf width is quite variable and the strongest, healthiest plants have the widest leaves, as is true across all Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars known to the inventor. This variation means leaf width can be anything from 3.5 cm to 8 cm wide depending on season, growing conditions and plant vigour and plant age. Typically, the leaves are of medium width (6 cm average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf under good growing conditions) and lanceolate with a firm, waxy texture. The blades are thick & fleshy.

The new variety ‘Hansoti22’ is a variety of Sansevieria in the group denominated as “Birds Nest” or ‘Hahnii’ types based on its origin. The new variety presents an average of 10 leaves per plant when it reaches its maturity (about 3 months from rooted Liner) but over time it can grow and accumulate many more leaves and increase in overall height.

The new variety is moderately drought tolerant and adapts well to conditions of bright light or heavy shade (exterior and interior). The intensity of these central bands varies with exposure to light and the contrast is most intense under high light conditions.

The leaves show a variegated colouration, with a central wide area of darker green and a border of lighter yellowish-green. This central darker green area is longitudinally marked by a distinct band consisting of lighter creamy green streaks.

Each leaf has a marginal cream band similar to Yellow 4B and varies in width from just 2 mm to 10 mm. This creamy yellow border is occasionally invaded with streaks of darker green from the central dark green area. This characteristic is seen and is identical in its parental cultivar, ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’.

The central broad dark green area shows colouration similar to 139A. There are little or no transverse horizontal bands on the leaves (otherwise so typically seen in most S. trifasciata cultivars). The characteristic (and unique to ‘Hansoti 22’) light greenish to creamy yellow streaks are between N144C to N144D. The backside of the leaves has similar coloration except that the typical S. trifasciata transverse horizontal banding is visible, though indistinctly so.

The attached color pictures are a better guide to the overall coloration and pattern. The primary distinctive characteristic is the lighter longitudinal band consisting of light greenish to creamy yellow streaks within the broad darker green central area

COMMERCIAL COMPARATOR

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety ‘Hahnii Jade’. Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ differ from plants of this comparator according to the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Commercial Comparison Comparator Characteristic ‘Hahnii Jade’ ‘HANSOTI22’ 1. Leaf size  9 to 13 cm  9 to 13 cm 2. Quantity of 10 to 12 10 to 13 Leaves 3. Variegation Dark green leaves. Dark green leaves with a cream Pattern border and wide central band of light green/creamy yellow streaks

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison of New and Parental variety Parent ‘Hahnii Jade Characteristic Marginata’ ‘HANSOTI22’ 1. Leaf size 9 to 13 cm 9 to 13 cm 2. Quantity of 10 to 12 10 to 13 Leaves 3. Variegation Dark green leaves Dark green leaves with a cream Pattern with a border and wide central band of cream border. light green/creamy yellow streaks 4. Thickness of 2 to 12 mm 1 to 9 mm marginal variegation 4. Central Absent 20 to 30 mm wide band of light variegation green/cream yellow streaks

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI22’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘HANSOTI22’.

These pictures illustrate the plant form which is the unique characteristic of ‘HANSOTI22’ and at the same time demonstrates that plant coloration and variegation pattern is similar to several other Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars. All plants were grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C. with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions). These conditions closely approximate those used in commercial practice in India.

FIG. 1 shows a three-month-old plant of Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ in a 12 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a plant of ‘HANSOTI22’.

FIG. 3 shows a tray holding 14 ‘HANSOTI22’ plants in 10 cm pots showing uniformity across multiple plants of this new cultivar.

FIG. 4 shows ‘HANSOTI22’ beside the parent variety Sansevieria ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’. The parent plant is on the left, the new variety on the right.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of ‘HANSOTI22’ beside the parent variety, Sansevieria ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’. The parent plant is on the left, the new variety on the right.

FIG. 6 shows individual leaves of Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ (on bottom) compared to individual leaves of the parent variety Sansevieria ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’ (on top).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI22’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, fertilizer levels and composition and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI22’ plants grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C. with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions).

This crop gets nearly constant fertilization to increase production, Constant Liquid Feed at approximately 150 ppm N, 30 ppm P and 150 ppm K is used along with micronutrients. Production is closely related with proper and complete plant nutrition and an open soilless growing media based on coconut coir. The plants are grown in plastic pots on metal benching in spacing trays

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (April 2009) except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

The photographs and descriptions were taken during the Winter season in Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State, India when outdoor day temperature was 25° C. to 30° C. . The age of the plants described is 3 to 4 months.

-   Botanical classification: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘HANSOTI22’. -   General information:     -   -   Parentage.—Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade Marginata’             (unpatented).         -   Optimal growth conditions.—         -   Light intensities.—High adaptability to outdoor or indoor             conditions.         -   Temperature.—Day: 25° C. to 35° C. Night: 12° C. to 25° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 8° C. and a high temperature of 38° C. and above, very             heat tolerant.         -   Fertilization.—Constant feed of 150 ppm N, 30 ppm P and 150             ppm K is used along with micronutrients with occasional             leaching.         -   Growth regulators.—Not necessary for growth, however rooting             hormone aids in rapid and prolific rooting of offsets. -   Propagation:     -   -   Typical.—Side suckers which come true to type.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Rhizomes are elongated,             fleshy, giving rise to offsets (side shoots). Offsets root             easily with fibrous adventitious roots from cut end. Colored             cream to brown, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.         -   Time to initiate roots.—15 to 20 days at 25 to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted liner.—About 45 days at 25° C. to             30° C.         -   Time to produce a sales ready 12 cm potted plant from             liner.—About 3 months at 25° C. to 30° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Broad rosette.         -   Height.—About 12 to 15 cm when grown in 12 cm pots.         -   Spread.—About 15 to 17 cm when grown when grown in a 12 cm             size container.         -   Form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around             growth point.         -   Shape.—Flat cylindrical.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 9 to 12 in 12 cm, ready to sell plant.             Number slowly increases with age and rosette increases in             height.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Single, leaf bases arranged             stiffly in a rosette around a central growth point.         -   Leaf length.—About 11 to 13 cm, full mature leaf.         -   Leaf width.—About 5 cm to 8 cm, full mature leaf.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Broad lanceolate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly upwardly cupped.         -   Apex shape.—Acute, aristate soft tip.         -   Base shape.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire. Entire, sharp, smooth.         -   Texture.—Upper Surface: smooth and waxy texture.         -   Texture.—Under Surface: smooth and waxy texture.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Upper surface mature leaf: Basal dark green colour             near Green 139A with cream border near Yellow 4B and central             wide band with streaks of Yellow-Green N144C and N144D.             Lower surface mature leaf: Basal dark green colour near             Green 139A with cream border near Yellow 4B and faint             central wide band with streaks of Yellow-Green N144C and             N144D.         -   Margin coloration.—Near RHS Yellow 4B, upper and lower             surfaces.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Longitudinal/parallel leaf shape.         -   Venation color.—Indistinguishable from leaf blade.         -   Leaf fragrance.—None. -   Other:     -   -   Inflorescence description.—Flowers not observed to date.         -   Weather resistance.—Moderately drought tolerant.         -   Pest resistance.—Reasonably resistant to pests, susceptible             to root mealybugs.         -   Disease resistance.—Occasionally shows Anthracnose and leaf             spots but largely disease free from clean mother stock.         -   Fruit/seed production.—No fruits/seeds detected to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI22’ as herein illustrated and described. 